Depression Increases Risk of Stroke

People with depression are more likely to have a stroke than their mentally healthy peers, and their strokes are more likely to be fatal, according to a new analysis published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Depression is a relatively minor risk factor for stroke compared to high blood pressure (hypertension) and other health conditions and…

Too Little Deep Sleep May Fuel Hypertension

Missing out on deep sleep can leave you feeling slow-witted and irritable in the morning, but the consequences don’t necessarily end there. Over time, too little deep sleep may also take a toll on your heart by contributing to high blood pressure, a new study suggests.

Healthy young and middle-aged adults spend about 20% to 25% of their sleeping hours…

Does Smoking Help Protect the Joints?

Smoking will increase your risk of cancer, emphysema, heart disease, stroke, and dying young, but if you manage to dodge all those bullets, it may actually reduce your need for joint-replacement surgery later in life.

Curious as it may sound, a new study of nearly 11,000 older men in Australia has found that the longer the men smoked, the…

Are Some Dogs Obese?

A fat dog is not necessarily a happy dog. In fact, his health may be at serious risk, and he may even grow depressed. There are many reasons why pets become obese but the two main reasons are: Eating too much and not getting exercise enough. As long as a medium-sized dog is no more than a few…

Warning Signs of Pregnancy-Related Diabetes Appear Years Earlier

Diabetes stemming from pregnancy can cause a host of problems for baby and mother alike, including birth complications and a higher risk of developing the more serious type 2 diabetes later in life.

In a new study, researchers say they’ve identified a series of routine health measures that can help doctors predict years in advance which women will develop…

Post-Baby Weight Gain Raises Diabetes Risk in Next Pregnancy

Women who gain weight after giving birth for the first time dramatically increase their risk of developing pregnancy-related diabetes during their second pregnancy, a new study suggests.

Compared to women of similar height who maintain their weight, a 5-foot-4 woman who gains roughly 12 to 17 pounds after giving birth more than doubles her odds…

Coffee Linked to Lower Risk of Fatal Prostate Cancer

Men who drink a lot of coffee might feel a bit jittery or high-strung, but those side effects may come with a hidden benefit: prostate health. According to a new study, drinking six or more cups of coffee per day can lower a man’s risk of fatal prostate cancer by up to 60%.

A decreased risk of cancer was seen…

Waist Size Predicts Heart-Disease Death Better Than Weight

Doctors have long known that obesity increases a person’s risk of heart disease, but in recent years the picture has grown more complicated.

Several studies have found that a high body mass index is associated with a lower risk of dying from heart disease and other chronic illnesses—a mysterious phenomenon that has come to be known as the “obesity paradox.”…

The Eat Right for Your Type Diet

The idea behind the Eat Right for Your Type diet is that following a diet and lifestyle that suit your blood type will make you healthier, let you reach your ideal weight, and even slow down the aging process. That’s according to the author of the book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, Peter J. D’Adamo, MD, a naturopathic…

Do Sugary Drinks Boost Blood Pressure?

Drinking a lot of soda and other sugary beverages has been linked to an increased risk of obesity and diabetes, among other health problems. Here’s another reason to cut back: A new study suggests that even one sweetened drink per day may contribute to higher blood pressure.

The more sugary beverages a person drinks, the…

Smoking, Obesity Blamed for U.S. Lag in Life Expectancy

The U.S. spends more on health care than any other nation yet has worse life expectancy than many — and a new report blames smoking and obesity.

That may sound surprising, considering that public smoking is being stamped out here while it’s common in parts of Europe. And obesity is a growing problem around the world.

But the U.S. led…